Trinidad in Las Animas County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Temple Aaron 1889

Photographed by Jerry Klinger, June 2019

1. Temple Aaron 1889 Marker

Inscription. Jews have been part of Trinidad's social, economic and political life since first arriving as traders along the Sante Fe Trail. Maurice and Isaac Wise opened a store on Main Street in 1867. The Jaffa Brothers' Trading Company was established in 1872. Sam Jaffa was elected as Trinidad's first mayor in 1876. The Jaffa brothers, Sam, Henry and Sol, built Trinidad's Jaffa Opera House in 1882. In 1883 Trinidad's Jewish community formally organized Southern Colorado's first Jewish congregation, which also drew members from Northern New Mexico. Fundraising began with ecumenical support from the non-Jewish community. Temple Aaron, designed by famed architect Isaac Hamilton Rapp in the popular hybrid Exotic Revival-Moorish style, was dedicated in 1889. The Congregation's spiritual leader was Rabbi Leopold Freudenthal. It was affiliated with the Reform Movement and sponsored an early B'Nai Brith chapter. For 130 years and counting, Temple Aaron has visibly affirmed the American principles of Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Religion.

Erected 2019 by Colorado Preservation, Inc., City of Trinidad, Temple Aaron Community, Jewish

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American Society for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation., and the Synagogues series lists.

Location. 37° 9.986′ N, 104° 30.165′ W. Marker is in Trinidad, Colorado, in Las Animas County. It is at the intersection of South Maple Street and East 3rd Street, on the left when traveling north on South Maple Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 S Maple St, Trinidad CO 81082, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Replica of the Statue of Liberty

Photographed by Jerry Klinger, June 2019

2. Temple Aaron 1889 Marker

(about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Wootton Veterans' Memorial Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Stage Stop (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cathay Williams (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Aultman Studio (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Capital of Open Range Ranching (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Santa Fe Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); Trinidad History Museum Complex (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trinidad.

Regarding Temple Aaron 1889. The marker was dedicated on June 22, 2019.

Temple Aaron, though not open on a regular basis for religious services, is the oldest functioning Jewish house of worship West of the Mississippi River.

National Landmark status is being sought for the Temple.

Also see . . .
1. 2017 - Temple Aaron (YouTube, 5 min.). (Submitted on June 24, 2019.)
2. National Register and National Historic Landmarks Celebrate Jewish Heritage Month Trinidad's Temple.

When people think of Jewish immigration in the United States, they picture the tenements of New York City. But what about the boomtowns of the West? Temple Aaron, located in Trinidad, Colorado,
Photographed by Jerry Klinger, June 2019

3. Temple Aaron 1889 Marker
is nationally significant for its connection with the westward migration of Jewish immigrants from Europe between 1840-1924. Temple Aaron is the second-oldest known synagogue in continuous use in its original location west of the Mississippi River.

(Submitted on December 1, 2024, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Additional keywords. JASHP

Temple Aaron image. Click for full size.

Carol Highsmith (courtesy Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress), June 8, 2016

4. Temple Aaron

“Temple Aaron, built, complete with an onion dome, in 1889 in Trinidad, Colorado, on the Purgatoire River on the northern end of the Raton Pass leading into New Mexico”

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 679 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 23, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 4. submitted on December 5, 2024. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear, straight on, photo of marker. • • Can you help?